US5595802A - Self adhering wrapping material for wrapping flower pots and method of using same - Google Patents

Abstract

A wrapping material comprising a sheet of material such as paper, cellophane, foil, or man-made organic polymer film and a cling material such as polyethylene secured to a portion of the sheet of material. The cling material connects to the sheet of material and/or itself as the wrapping material is wrapped about a flower pot thereby securing the sheet of material about the flower pot. A method of wrapping a flower pot by wrapping the flower pot with the wrapping material.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/889,654, filed May 27, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,672 and entitled "SELF ADHERING WRAPPING MATERIAL FOR WRAPPING FLOWER POTS AND METHOD OF USING SAME;" which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/677,225, filed Mar. 29, 1991, entitled "METHOD FOR WRAPPING FLOWER POTS USING A SELF-ADHERING WRAPPING MATERIAL," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,242; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/368,597, filed Jun. 20, 1989, entitled "METHOD OF WRAPPING UTILIZING A SELF ADHERING WRAPPING MATERIAL," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,229; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 249,761, filed Sep. 26, 1988, entitled "METHOD FOR WRAPPING AN OBJECT WITH A MATERIAL HAVING PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE THEREON, now abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 219,083, filed Jul. 13, 1988, entitled "ARTICLE FORMING SYSTEM," now U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,031; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 004,275, filed Jan. 5, 1987, entitled "ARTICLE FORMING SYSTEM," now U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 613,080, filed May 22, 1984, entitled ARTICLE FORMING SYSTEM, now abandoned.

Said application Ser. No. 07/677,225 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/232,541, filed Aug. 11, 1988, entitled "METHOD OF SHAPING AND HOLDING A SHEET OF MATERIAL ABOUT A FLOWER POT WITH A COLLAR," now U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,834; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 06/876,405, filed Jun. 20, 1986, entitled "FLOWER POT ACCESSORY," now abandoned. Application U.S. Ser. Nos. 249,761, 219,083 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,031), 004,275 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182), and 232,541 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,834), described above, are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to wrapping material utilized in wrapping a flower pot and methods of using same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a wrapping material for wrapping about at least a portion of a flower pot, comprising a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface sufficiently sized to wrap at least a portion of the flower pot; and a cling material secured to a portion of the sheet of material. The cling material is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and itself upon contacting engagement. The sheet of material with the cling material connected thereto is wrappable about the flower pot whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of the wrapping material for generally securing the sheet of material wrapped about at least a portion of the flower pot.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, a wrapping material as described heretofore is wrapped about a flower pot by disposing the sheet of material about the flower pot so that portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to portions of the wrapping material for generally securing the sheet of material about at least a portion of the flower pot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a wrapping material constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating one method of wrapping a flower pot.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating a wrapped flower pot containing a floral arrangement.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the wrapping material of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating one method of wrapping a flower pot.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating a wrapped flower pot containing a floral arrangement.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the wrapping material of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating one method of wrapping a flower pot.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating a wrapped flower pot containing a floral arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the wrapping material of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating one method of wrapping a flower pot.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating a wrapped flower pot containing a floral arrangement.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the wrapping material of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating one method of wrapping a flower pot.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating a wrapped flower pot containing a floral arrangement.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the wrapping material of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating a wrapped flower pot containing a floral arrangement.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of another embodiment of another embodiment of the wrapping material of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating one method of wrapping a flower pot.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating a wrapped flower pot containing a floral arrangement.

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the wrapping material of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention illustrating one method of wrapping a flower pot.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the wrapping material of the present invention, illustrating a flower pot containing a floral arrangement wrapped.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe Preferred Embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, shown herein and designated generally by thereference numeral 10 is a wrapping material which is constructed in accordance with the present invention for wrapping at least a portion of a flower pot. The wrappingmaterial 10 may be utilized to wrap any flower pot in accordance with the present invention. One such flower pot is shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, and is designated by thenumeral 12. Theflower pot 12 preferably contains afloral arrangement 14, which may have astem portion 15 and a growingportion 16 such as petals, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6.

"Floral arrangement" as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wrapping material comprises a sheet ofmaterial 18 having anupper surface 20 and a lower surface 22 (shown in FIG. 3). The sheet ofmaterial 18 is sized sufficiently to wrap at least a portion of theflower pot 12. The sheet ofmaterial 18 may be any shape, but preferably has at least two arcuate ends.

The sheet ofmaterial 18 may be constructed from any suitable material that is capable of being wrapped about aflower pot 12. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial 18 comprises cloth, paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, foil, man-made organic polymer film or combinations thereof.

In one preferred embodiment, the sheet ofmaterial 18 is constructed from a relatively thin film of a substantially non-shape sustaining processed organic polymer film. The term "processed organic polymer film" as used herein means a man-made resin such as a polypropylene as opposed to naturally occurring resins such as cellophane.

A processed organic polymer film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil. The processed organic polymer film is a substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer film and is a synthetic linear chain organic polymer where the carbon atoms are substantially linearly linked. Such films are synthetic polymers formed or synthesized from monomers. Further, a relatively substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer film is virtually waterproof which may be desirable in many applications such as wrapping a floral arrangement.

Additionally a relatively thin film of substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer does not substantially deteriorate in sunlight. Processed organic polymer films having carbon atoms, both linearly linked and cross linked, and some cross linked polymer films, also may be suitable for use in the present invention provided such films are substantially flexible and can be made in a sheet-like format for wrapping purposes of the present invention.

A decorative pattern, such as a color and/or an embossed pattern, and/or other decorative surface ornamentation may be applied to theupper surface 20 and/orlower surface 22 of the sheet ofmaterial 18 or portions thereof. The sheet ofmaterial 18 also may be totally or partially clear or tinted transparent material.

The sheet ofmaterial 18 may be constructed of a single sheet of material or a plurality of sheets. Any thickness of the sheet ofmaterial 18 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet ofmaterial 18 is wrappable about at least a portion of theflower pot 12 and the cling material is capable of securing same, as described herein. Typically the sheet of material has a thickness in a range of less than about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet ofmaterial 18 is constructed from one transparent sheet of man-made organic polymer film having a thickness in a range of from less than about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils. It will be appreciated that the sheet ofmaterial 18 is substantially flat.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the sheet ofmaterial 18 also comprises afirst end 26 and asecond end 28, both of which are arcuately shaped, and define the outer periphery of thesheet 18. The sheet ofmaterial 18 also comprises the notched and arcuately shapedthird end 30 and afourth end 32, respectively. Thethird end 30 has afirst side 30a, asecond side 30b, and a third side 30c; thefourth end 32 has afirst side 32a, asecond side 32b, and athird side 32c.

The wrapping material also comprises cling materials, generally designated, in FIGS. 1 and 2, by thenumerals 34a and 34b, which are secured to the sheet ofmaterial 18. The clingmaterials 34a-b may be secured to the sheet ofmaterial 18 at any position on the sheet ofmaterial 18 which permits the engagement of the clingmaterials 34a-b with the sheet ofmaterial 18 and/or itself as described herein. Any manner of securing the clingmaterial 34a-b to the sheet ofmaterial 18 may be utilized which permits the clingmaterials 34a-b to remain securely fastened to the sheet ofmaterial 18 during and after the wrapping process described hereafter. Preferably a portion of the clingmaterials 34a-b are heat sealed to the sheet ofmaterial 18, although adhesives also may be utilized.

"Heat sealing" is defined as any heating means which causes a permanent engagement between two items when so treated. Preferably, the heat sealing bonds the cling materials to the sheet of material by causing the cling materials to become partially disposed to the sheet of material.

The adhesive which may alternatively be used for this attachment may be any one of those commercially available which provides a permanent engagement between items. The adhesive is preferably placed upon at least a portion of the cling material, although the adhesive could also be applied to the sheet ofmaterial 18. The adhesive causes at least a portion of the cling material to become permanently engaged to the sheet of material.

The clingmaterials 34a-b may be any material which is capable of connecting to the sheet ofmaterial 18 and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the wrapping process. Such clingmaterials 34a-b are wrappable about aflower pot 12, whereby portions of the clingmaterials 34a-b contactingly engage and connect to other portions of the wrappingmaterial 10 for generally securing the sheet ofmaterial 18 wrapped about at least a portion of theflower pot 12. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the wrappingmaterial 10 may be easily removed without tearing same, i.e., the cling material "clings" to the wrappingmaterial 10. However, the present invention also contemplates a wrapping material which remains securely connected to and about the wrapped flower pot until the wrapping material is torn therefrom.

Preferably, the clingmaterials 34a-b are constructed and treated if necessary, from polyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by GladN, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the thickness of the sheet of material utilized, i.e., generally, the thicker and therefore heavier sheet of material may require a thicker and therefore stronger cling material. Generally, the cling material will range in thickness from less than about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils, and preferably less than about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils and most preferably from less than about 0.6 mils to about 2 mils. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling material to function as previously described.

Any shape or amount of clingmaterials 34a-b may be utilized with the present invention which permits the wrappingmaterial 10 to be secured about theflower pot 12. The entire surface of the sheet ofmaterial 18 may be covered with the cling material (not shown). Preferably, however, a strip of sheet-like cling material is secured to one side of the sheet ofmaterial 18. In this manner, only a portion of the clingmaterials 34a-b may overlap on or connect to the sheet ofmaterial 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, for securing purposes so that substantial portions of both sides of the clingmaterials 34a-b will be available for contacting the wrappingmaterial 10.

The clingmaterials 34a-b, as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprise anupper surface 36a and 36b, alower surface 38a and 38b (the edges lifted for illustration purposes only), afirst end 40a and 40b, asecond end 42a and 42b, athird end 44a and 44b, and a fourth end 46a and 46b, respectively. The fourth ends 46a-b of clingmaterials 34a-b are attached near thefirst side 30a of thethird end 30 of thesheet 18, and thefirst side 32a of the fourth end of the sheet ofmaterial 18, respectively, by any method described herein.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. Aflower pot 12 is preferably placed on the center of theupper surface 20 of the sheet ofmaterial 18. Portions of the wrappingmaterial 10 are then positioned about a portion of theflower pot 12 to be wrapped so that the clingmaterials 34a-b are positioned to connect either to itself or the sheet ofmaterial 18 upon wrapping and thereby secure the sheet ofmaterial 18 about the item.

Thesheet 18 is then shaped around theflower pot 12 by folding or wrapping, so that thesheet 18 covers at least a portion of theflower pot 12. Thelower surface 38a of the clingmaterial 34a connects to theupper surface 20 of the sheet ofmaterial 18, overlaying past the third side 30c of thethird end 30 of thesheet 18.Third end 30 and associatedsecond side 30b are crumpled toward the flower pot 12 (not shown), to permit thesheet 18 to wrap around at least a portion of theflower pot 12. Thelower surface 38b of the clingmaterial 34b similarly engages the sheet ofmaterial 18, to effectively wrap theflower pot 12. That is, clingmaterial 34b engages theupper surface 20 of thesheet 18, overlaying past thethird side 32c of thefourth end 32 of the sheet 18 (not shown).

The Preferred Embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6

Referring to FIG. 4, the embodiment therein is substantially the same as the one previously described in FIG. 1. The only difference between FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 is the ruffled extended first end 26a and second end 26b shown in FIG. 4, which are extended forms of thefirst end 26 and thesecond end 28 of the sheet of material 18 (shown in FIG. 1), which form a skirt around the wrapped flower pot, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The ruffled extended ends 26a and 26b create additional sides on both thethird end 30 and thefourth end 32 of the sheet ofmaterial 18. Specifically, thethird end 30 has a fourth side 48a and a fifth side 50a. Similarly,fourth end 32 has a fourth side 48b and afifth side 50b.

Attached to the ruffled skirt 26a are clingmaterials 52a and 52b. Clingmaterials 52a-b, respectively, have anupper surface 54a and 54b, and a lower surface 56a and 56b (not shown). Clingmaterials 52a-b also have afirst end 58a and 58b, asecond end 60a and 60b, athird end 62a and 62b, and afourth end 64a and 64b, respectively. The fourth end 64a of clingmaterial 52a is attached near the fifth side 50a of thethird end 30 of the sheet ofmaterial 18. Similarly, thefourth end 64b of cling material 52b is attached near thefifth side 50b of thefourth end 32 of thesheet 18. Both clingmaterials 52a-b are connected to thesheet 18 in any manner described herein.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. Aflower pot 12 is placed, preferably, on the center of theupper surface 20 of sheet ofmaterial 18. Thesheet 18 is shaped around theflower pot 12 by folding or wrapping, so that thesheet 18 covers at least a portion of theflower pot 12.

Theupper surface 54b of the cling material 52b overlays and engages thelower surface 22 of thesheet 18 near thefifth side 50b of the fourth end 32 (not shown). Thelower surface 38b of the clingmaterial 34b overlays and engages thesheet 18 near thethird side 32c of thefourth end 32, on theupper surface 20 of the sheet of material 18 (not shown).

Clingmaterials 34a and 52a also engage the sheet ofmaterial 18, to effectively wrap theflower pot 12. That is, thelower surface 38a of the clingmaterial 34a engages theupper surface 20 of thesheet 18, overlaying past the third side 30c of thethird end 30 of thesheet 18. And, theupper surface 54a of the clingmaterial 52a engages thelower surface 22 of thesheet 18, overlaying past the fifth side 50a of thethird end 30 of thesheet 18.

The Preferred Embodiment of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The wrapping material, generally designated bynumeral 110, is used to wrap aflower pot 112, which preferably contains aflower arrangement 114. Theflower arrangement 114 may also have astem portion 115 and a growingportion 116. The wrappingmaterial 110 of the present embodiment comprises a sheet ofmaterial 118.

Referring to FIG. 7, the sheet ofmaterial 118 comprises anupper surface 120 and a lower surface 122 (shown in FIG. 9). The sheet ofmaterial 118 further comprises afirst end 126 and asecond end 128, both of which are arcuately shaped, which define the outer periphery of thesheet 118. The sheet ofmaterial 118 also has a first V-shapedindentation 130 and a second V-shapedindentation 132. Immediately above thefirst indentation 130 is afirst side 130a, and just belowfirst indentation 130 is asecond side 130b. Immediately above thesecond indentation 132 is athird side 132a; just belowsecond indentation 132 is afourth side 132b.

Thesheet 118 also has clingmaterial 134a and 134b. Cling material 134a-b comprise anupper surface 136a and 136b, alower surface 138a and 138b (the edges are lifted for illustration purposes only), afirst end 140a and 140b, asecond end 142a and 142b, athird end 144a and 144b, and afourth end 146a and 146b, respectively. The fourth end 146a of the clingmaterial 134a is connected to thesheet 118 above the first indentation, along thefirst side 130a. Thefourth end 146b of the clingmaterial 134b is connected to thesheet 118 above thesecond indentation 132, along thesecond side 132a. Both clingmaterials 134a-b are attached to the sheet ofmaterial 118 in any manner described herein.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. Aflower pot 112 is placed on the center of the sheet ofmaterial 118, between the first V-shapedindentation 130 and the second V-shapedindentation 132. Thesheet 118 is shaped around theflower pot 112 by folding or wrapping, so that thesheet 118 covers at least a portion of theflower pot 112.

Thelower surface 138a of the clingmaterial 134a is shown attached to theupper surface 120 of the sheet ofmaterial 118, overlaying past thesecond side 130b (not shown) of thesheet 118. To completely wrap theflower pot 112, as illustrated in FIG. 9, thelower surface 138b of the clingmaterial 134b similarly engages theupper surface 120 of the sheet of material 118 (not shown), overlaying past thesecond side 132b, below thesecond indentation 132, to effectively wrap theflower pot 112.

The Preferred Embodiments of FIGS. 10; 11 and 12

Referring to FIG. 10, the embodiment therein is substantially similar to one previously described. The primary differences between FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 are theskirts 126a and 128a shown in FIG. 10, which are incorporated as extensions of thefirst end 126 and thesecond end 128 respectively, of the sheet of material 118 (shown in FIG. 7). An alternative preferred embodiment would utilize ruffled skirts, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

Four additional sides are formed as a result of theskirts 126a and 128a. And two additional cling materials are connected to thesheet 118. Referring to FIG. 10, immediately adjacent tofirst side 130a isfifth side 130c; similarly, immediately adjacent tosecond side 130b issixth side 130d. Also, immediately adjacent to thethird side 132a isseventh side 132c; immediately adjacent to thefourth side 132b is theeighth side 132d. Two additional clingmaterials 148a and 148b, respectively, are attached to thesixth side 130d and theeighth side 132d of the sheet ofmaterial 118.

Cling materials 148a-b, respectively, have anupper surface 150a and 150b and alower surface 152a and 152b. Cling materials 148a-b, also have a first side 154a and 154b, asecond side 156a and 156b, athird side 158a and 158b, and afourth side 160a and 160b, respectively. Thefourth sides 160a-b of the cling materials 148a-b are attached to thesixth side 130d and theeighth side 132d, respectively, of the sheet ofmaterial 118, by any method described herein.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. Aflower pot 112 is placed on the center of the sheet ofmaterial 118, between the first V-shapedindentation 130 and the second V-shapedindentation 132, as shown in FIG. 11. Thesheet 118 is shaped around theflower pot 112 by folding or wrapping, so that thesheet 118 covers at least a portion of theflower pot 112. Thelower surface 138b of the clingmaterial 134b connects to theupper surface 120 of the sheet ofmaterial 118, overlaying past thefourth side 132b of the sheet 118 (not shown). Further, theupper surface 150b of the clingmaterial 148b is attached to thelower surface 122 of the sheet ofmaterial 118, overlaying past theseventh side 132c of the right indentation 132 (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 12, clingmaterial 134a similarly engages the sheet ofmaterial 118, to effectively wrap theflower pot 112. That is, thelower surface 138a of the clingmaterial 134a connects to theupper surface 120 of thesheet 118, overlaying past thesecond side 130b of the sheet 118 (not shown); theupper surface 150a of the cling material 148a connects to thelower surface 122 of thesheet 118, overlaying past thefifth side 130c of thesecond indentation 130a (not shown).

The Preferred Embodiment of FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15. The wrapping material, generally designated bynumeral 210, is used to wrap aflower pot 212, which preferably contains aflower arrangement 214 having astem portion 215 and a growingportion 216. The wrappingmaterial 210 of the present embodiment comprises a sheet ofmaterial 218.

Referring to FIG. 13, the sheet ofmaterial 218 comprises anupper surface 220 and a lower surface 222 (the edge is lifted for illustration purposes only). The sheet ofmaterial 218 further comprises afirst end 226 and asecond end 228, athird end 230 and afourth end 232, all of which extend in an arcuate manner from the center of thesheet 218.

The four ends 226, 228, 230 and 232 of the sheet ofmaterial 218 form a quadrafoliate shape. Thefirst end 226 has afirst side 226a and asecond side 226b, thesecond end 228 has a first side 228a and asecond side 228b, thethird end 230 has a first side 230a and asecond side 230b and thefourth end 232 has afirst side 232a and asecond side 232b.

Thesheet 218 has clingmaterials 236a, 236b, 236c and 236d. Clingmaterials 236a-d comprise anupper surface 238a, 238b, 238c, and 238d, and alower surface 240a, 240b, 240c and 240d, respectively (the edges are lifted for illustration purposes only). The clingmaterials 236a-d further respectively comprise afirst end 242a, 242b, 242c, and 242d, asecond end 244a, 244b, 244c, and 244d, athird end 246a, 246b, 246c, and 246d, and a fourth end, 248a, 248b, 248c, and 248d. The fourth ends 248a-d of the clingmaterials 236a-d are connected in any manner described herein to thesecond sides 226b, 228b, 230b, and 232b, respectively, of thefirst end 226, thesecond end 228, thethird end 230 and thefourth end 232 of the sheet ofmaterial 218.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. Aflower pot 212 is placed on the center of the sheet ofmaterial 218, between the ends 234a-d. Thesheet 218 is shaped around theflower pot 112 by folding or wrapping eachend 226, 228, 230, and 232 of thesheet 218 upward, so that the sheet ofmaterial 218 covers at least a portion of theflower pot 212.

As shown in FIG. 14, theflower pot 212 is wrapped by first connecting clingmaterials 236b and 236c to thesheet 218. The lower surfaces 240b-c of the clingmaterials 236b-c, respectively, connect to theupper surface 220 of the sheet ofmaterial 218, overlaying respectively past thefirst side 226a of thefirst end 226 and the first side 228a of thesecond end 228 of thesheet 218.

As further illustrated in FIG. 15, clingmaterials 236a and 236d similarly engage the sheet ofmaterial 218, to effectively wrap theflower pot 212. That is, thelower surfaces 240a and 240d of the clingmaterial 236a and 236d, respectively, connect to theupper surface 220 of thesheet 218. Cling material 236a overlaps past thefirst side 226a of thefirst end 226 of thesheet 218. Similarly, clingmaterial 236d overlaps past thefirst side 232a of thefourth end 232 of the sheet ofmaterial 218.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, the alternative preferred embodiment shown therein is substantially the same as the one previously shown in FIGS. 13 and 15. The only difference between FIGS. 13 and 15 compared with FIGS. 16 and 17 is the elongated ends 226s, 228s, 230s, and 232s of the sheet ofmaterial 118 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, which forms a skirt. The wrappedflower pot 212 shown in FIG. 17 is wrapped in a manner identical to the one previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

The Preferred Embodiments of FIGS. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20. The wrapping material, generally designated bynumeral 310, is used to wrap aflower pot 312, which preferably contains a flower arrangement 314 having astem portion 315 and a growingportion 316. The wrappingmaterial 310 of the present embodiment comprises a sheet ofmaterial 318.

Referring to FIG. 18, the sheet ofmaterial 318 comprises anupper surface 320 and a lower surface 322 (the edge is lifted for illustration purposes only). The sheet ofmaterial 318 further comprises an elongatedfirst end 326 and an elongatedsecond end 328, both of which are arcuately shaped and in parallel alignment. The sheet ofmaterial 318 also has athird end 330 and afourth end 332.

Thesheet 318 also comprises a clingmaterial 334. The clingmaterial 334 has anupper surface 336, alower surface 338, (the edge of which is lifted for illustration purposes only). The clingmaterial 334 also comprises afirst end 340, asecond end 342, athird end 344, and afourth end 346. Thefourth end 346 of the clingmaterial 334 is attached in any manner described herein to thefourth end 332 of the sheet ofmaterial 318.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. Thesheet 318 is shaped around theflower pot 312 by folding or wrapping, so that thesheet 318 covers at least a portion of theflower pot 312. That is, the sheet ofmaterial 318 is wrapped around the periphery of theflower pot 312; the relatively longer arcuatefirst end 326 extends around the top of theflower pot 312, and the relatively shorter arcuatesecond end 328 extends around the bottom of theflower pot 312. Thelower surface 338 of the clingmaterial 334 connects to theupper surface 320 of thesheet 318 near thethird end 330. Alternatively, theupper surface 336 of the clingmaterial 334 may connect to thelower surface 322 of thesheet 318.

FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 illustrate an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is substantially similar to the sheet ofmaterial 312 shown in FIG. 18. The only differences between FIG. 18 and FIG. 21 are the ruffled, extendedfirst end 326a, the ruffledfourth end 332a of thesheet 318, and the location of the connection of the clingmaterial 334a upon thesheet 312 shown in FIG. 21.

The clingmaterial 334a is attached to thesheet 318 near thefourth end 332a. As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, the sheet ofmaterial 318 wraps aflower pot 312 in the same manner previously described for FIGS. 19 and 20.

For all embodiments shown and described previously herein, the sheet of material substantially forms a cover for the flower pot, which preferably contains a floral arrangement. And the sheet of material may be re-wrapped, as desired, unlike a pre-formed flower pot cover. The wrapping material may be wrapped loosely or tightly and may form a cone-shaped wrap, or substantially conform to the shape of the flower pot being wrapped. Moreover, for the embodiments shown and described in FIGS. 1-17, it will be appreciated that the shaped sheet of material is also capable of sustaining a floral arrangement without the use of a flower pot.

Moreover, with regard to the previously described embodiments having elongated ends forming extensions away from the flower pot, i.e., skirts, it will be appreciated that the design of the skirts may vary. That is, any design of skirt, for example, smooth, ruffled, scalloped, or the like, may be utilized.

The above-defined embodiments of the present invention provide a quick and easy wrapping material without the need of tape or other additional adhesives. It can be waterproof and may also provide visual observation of the item wrapped.

Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described herein or in parts or elements of the embodiments described herein or in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (12)

What is claimed is:

1. A wrapping, comprising:

a flower pot having an outer periphery;

a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material sized to wrap at least a portion of the flower pot; and

a single cling material having both an insubstantial portion and a substantial portion, the insubstantial portion of the cling material overlapping and connected to a small portion of the sheet of material, the substantial portion of the cling material extending away from the sheet of material, both the cling material and sheet of material forming a wrapping material,

wherein the wrapping material is wrapped about at least a portion of the flower pot thereby forming the wrapping,

wherein the sheet of material substantially wraps about at least a portion of the outer periphery of the flower pot, and

wherein the substantial portion of the cling material both overlaps and connects to the sheet of material when the sheet of material is wrapped about the flower pot, the substantial portion of the cling material overlapping only a limited portion of the sheet of material to secure the sheet of material about the flower pot.

2. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is at least partially wrapped about a flower pot having a floral arrangement therein.

3. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of cloth, paper, cellophane, metal foil, man-made organic polymer film and combinations thereof.

4. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the cling material comprises polyethylene.

5. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein a portion of at least one surface of the cling material overlaps and is connected to a portion of at least one surface of the sheet of material.

6. The wrapping material of claim 5 wherein the cling material is secured to at least a portion of the upper surface of the sheet of material.

7. The wrapping material of claim 5 wherein the cling material is secured to at least a portion of the lower surface of the sheet of material.

8. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the cling material comprises a thickness in a range of about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils.

9. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the cling material comprises a thickness in a range of about 0.6 mils to about 2 mils.

10. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material comprises a thickness in a range of about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils.

11. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material comprises a thickness in a range of about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils.

12. A wrapping, comprising:

an object having an outer periphery;

a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material sized to wrap at least a portion of the object; and

a single cling material having both an insubstantial portion and a substantial portion, the insubstantial portion of the cling material overlapping and connected to a small portion of the sheet of material, the substantial portion of the cling material extending away from the sheet of material, both the cling material and sheet of material forming a wrapping material,

wherein the wrapping material is wrapped about at least a portion of the object thereby forming the wrapping,

wherein the sheet of material substantially wraps about at least a portion of the outer periphery of the object, and

wherein the substantial portion of the cling material both overlaps and connects to the sheet of material when the sheet of material is wrapped about the object, the substantial portion of the cling material overlapping only a limited portion of the sheet of material to secure the sheet of material about the object.

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